Why do her wings look like this?

[lilchickenz]

Does anyone have any idea why this hen's wings look like this? They've been like this for months. She is not molting. She seems happy and healthy otherwise. I have 5 hens and she's the only one with wings looking like this. They have a house and run that's more than big enough and they walk around my yard during the day. I have not seen the others pecking at her or anything. She sometimes fights with one of the other ones but they face each other and fight like roosters. Never seen hens do that but these 2 do it at times. I don't think that affects her wings like this tho. I just don't get it.

 

[MarlaMac]

Do any of your other hens try to mount her? Dominate hens do this sometimes.
Do they get adequate protein in their feed that is not diluted by treats?

 

[lilchickenz]

No I have never seen the others trying to mount her. They rarely get treats but they do eat a lot of grass and milkweeds.

 

[MarlaMac]

How much protein is in their layer feed? 16% is minimal - just what egg producers found is the minimum to allow for max production. If 16%, you might add in a little protein treat here and there (hard cooked eggs, etc).

From what I understand, the feathers probably will not grow back until her next molt.

 

[lilchickenz]

I was surprised it's 21%! But I think they fill up more on grass and weeds in the yard. They've always been that way. Maybe they are fighting more than I realize. I'll have to keep my eyes on them more during the day. Not sure it will do much good though. I can't do much about them fighting when they already have a lot of space to get away from each other.

 

[lilchickenz]

Oh. Duh. I just realized this must have been from the rooster I had. She was his favorite and she was still growing when I gave him away. That was months ago but she hasn't had her first molt yet.